London’s Swedish Black Cab Driver
I found this article about London’s only Swedish black cab driver.
I wonder what other unusual or unexpected nationalities drive London’s black cabs.
I remember years ago, when we lived in Suffolk, our postman was Californian. He’d come in the USAF, married an English girl and he’d stayed.
He actually preferred the climate, just like the Swedish cab driver says he does.
The Umbrellas Were Giving Up
Even umbrellas were giving up as the picture shows.
The Umbrellas Were Giving Up
The stewards were even allowing long possibly-dangerous ones into Portman Road.
Going South
I could have called this piece Going Southern or Wandering Through Sussex, but today’s trip was a bit of a nightmare.
I’m always a bit apprehensive going south of the Big Sewer, as inevitably when I do I get lost or something happens.
Today’s trip couldn’t have been simpler. I wanted to get to Bosham station, just to the west of Chichester to have lunch and walk by the sea with an old colleague. It appeared that now the new South London line is open, a start by going to Clapham Junction station would be a good idea. From there I would take the 09:38 towards Bognor Regis and change off this train at Barnham station for Bosham.
The first leg went very well and just a couple of minutes late, the lightly-loaded Overground train pulled into Clapham Junction. There was a slight problem in that there are no ticket machines by the Overground platforms and you have to go outside the gated area to get a ticket. I couldn’t complain about the price and it cost me just £15.30. As one connection from the Overground to the train I wanted was just a minute, you’re a bit stumped if you cut it fine and have a ticket to collect.
I could have done it as the 09:38 pulled into the station, about ten minutes late.
We ran well until Billingshurst, but then it all started to go wrong, as a train in front had broken down. Eventually, it became obvious, I wouldn’t make my connection, so I phoned my friend and we agreed, he’d pick me up at Chichester. Which is what happened, but we finally got to the restaurant in Bosham about an hour after we planned.
We had our lunch and a walk and then I was dropped back at Bosham station to get the train home. As my ticket allowed me to go via Havant, if I wanted, I wasn’t pleased to see the westbound train steaming out of the station, as I arrived on the platform. As the trains seemed to be running to a random edition of the timetable, I thought the best thing to do, was to take the first train to arrive, as most seemed t0 be either delayed or cancelled.
So I found myself on a Brighton train and felt the best thing to do, would be to ask the conductor’s advice, as to the best route back to Clapham Junction. But he was nowhere to be seen, so I decided to take my chances at Barnham station.
There I got advice to go to Worthing and get a London train from there, which is what I did. I finally arrived at Clapham Junction nearly three hours after being dropped at Bosham. The trip is scheduled to take around one hour fifty minutes.
To make matters worse, i just missed an Overground train at Clapham Junction and had to wait fifteen minutes. But there were no further delays and I thought the train was surprisingly full for an early evening one. It will be interesting to see how traffic builds in the next few months.
So why were the Southern trains late?
One of the rather overworked employees said is was all down to the cold and when I said it didn’t seem to happen on the Ipswich line, he blamed the third rail electrical system. Perhaps, now the long-since dead idiot who decided to use this system, is getting the criticism he deserves. After all Southern Railway did start electrification with an overhead system and then ripped it out in the late 1920s.
I should say too, that all the staff were very good and helped when they could. The advice to go via Worthing was totally spot on.
I think next time, I go south, I’ll check on the weather first!
It’s Cold Out There!
My air-conditioner has an outside temperature gauge.
It’s Cold Out There!
At least it’s a comfortable eighteen degrees inside.
My December Blues
I’ve been pretty down the last couple of weeks with my nose running like a drain and my left hand and foot feeling extremely cold. Admittedly the weather hasn’t been good with very little sun. In fact the odd day of sunshine has cheered me up.
I’ve also improved myself a bit, by adjusting my heating so that it is on all day downstairs at say 20°C and letting the heat permeate upstairs to where my living room, kitchen and bedroom are. I then use the air-conditioning to keep the temperature at 20°C with as high a humidity as possible. Over the last few days, I’ve brought the temperature down a degree or two and now as I sit here typing it’s just 18°C with a humidity of 44%.
The biggest effect has been on my gut, to which I would give a rating of 8/10. It’s not been like that much in my memory.
So I looked back at this blog to 2011, 2010 and 2009 and in my memory to other years.
In 2011, I found this post from December13th. I was obviously feeling down, but thought it was a tooth. I had it out and life didn’t really get much better. So was I suffereing similar December Blues.
In 2010, I moved on December 16th Perhaps because of the excitement of moving I didn’t seem to be too low, but I had had a bad period in September.
2009 was the last year in which I had a December holiday. I went to Goa with an honourable lady and I felt very good.
2008 was pretty bad although I did have an excellent Christmas.
Obviously 2007 was awful as C had just died.
If I go back in time, I can remember two things.
C and I often had a weekend away in the autumn and a long holiday after Christmas. She liked to be on call at Christmas, as it is a busy time for family barristers.
I also remember a discussion with my doctor, who thought I could be suffering from Seasonal Affected Disorder. I’ve also been told by an eminent cardiologist, that everybody needs a week in the sun around the turn of the year.
So perhaps the cure is in my own hands.
I should find a warm place with sun for a few days.
Were Economic Forecasters Invented To Make Weather Forecasters Look Good At Their Job?
This question was posed on Drive on BBC Radio 5 Live.
I like it!
British Coal In A British Grate
This phrase was quoted in an article in The Times today by David Aaronovitch, where he likens the arguments of those who don’t believe in climate change, global warming and renewable energy, with those who were against the Clean Air Act of 1956. The MP for Bromsgrove, Michael Higgs was the opponent of the Act, who Aaronovitch quoted.
I can remember the smogs of that time and they weren’t pleasant. The only good thing was that we got sent home early from my primary school; de Bohun in Southgate. Teachers would organise us into groups and put a responsible ten or eleven year old in charge. Our parents didn’t know we were coming home, but then most mothers didn’t work in the 1950s.
I don’t think they’d do that now!
It Was Busy On The Cable Car
The Emirates Air-line was busy today, as the picture shows.
It Was Busy On The Cable Car
The caption says “Pharmacists – North London” if you can’t read it. It’s one of a series they show to the waiting passengers.
I suspect it was busy because of the clear weather. I took this picture looking towards the Heron Tower.
Looking Towards The City From The Emirates Air-Line
The Heron Tower is the one left of centre with the mast on top. There was also a good view of the Olympic Stadium and the Orbit.
The Olympic Stadium And The Orbit
My picture could be better though.
It’s Parky, But The Radiant Heater Is On!
It’s very cold, but the sun is out and although, I’ve no heating upstairs in the house, where I live most of the time, it’s warming up with the sun.
The origin of parky is a bit obscure. Some say it’s northern, but then my parents in North London used it.
Why Does It Always Rain On Mondays?
As it’s Monday, the cafe opposite; Eggs Milk Butter, was closed today.
Why Does It Always Rain On Mondays?
So there was no popping across to get a coffee. I just had to take a walk in the rain.
The Anonymous Widower 